Is there something wrong with me?

[Saladicious]

I started a new job a couple of months back. Part time 4 days, semi professional role, what I'd done before I had a child (now 2).

But I keep screwing up. Ive been shown systems, processes and I know them in my mind. But then I do some work and don't follow those systems.

For example every email sent is also printed and saved for the file. Easy right? But over and over I forget one or the other or both. Not every time, like every fourth time. But I KNOW what to do, i just seem incapable of doing it.

Ive been pulled up loads already and I know my job is on the line right now. And honestly I feel incompetent.

I wont lie and say it's the happiest workplace, but I should be able to complete basic admin functions, keep my head down and take the paycheck, right?

It's stressing me out so.much. and it's not "imposter syndrome" I really have spontaneous incompetence over and over.

Can anyone help?
Should I see a doctor? :(

For example every email sent is also printed and saved for the file

This is batshit. No wonder you're struggling to follow process.

Have you written your self a tick list for the processes?

It's about keeping audit trails.

Tick list is your way forward so that you don't miss anything - that said, who prints out emails and file them these days? Should be electronic storage unless your company are very old school? But yes, tick list - AI will give you one if you input the processes (which presumably are written down) that you need to follow.

Well I have "save and print" on sticky notes on my screen to remind myself. It seems a bit silly to have a two stage tick list.

Yes use a tick list. It takes at least six months for a job to be second nature. Try not to worry. Just look like you're trying.

I could try generating lists for all the tasks.
Ive also been printing out tasks and going through them with a ruler line by line to make sure I'm reading everything. It all feels so difficult but I know rationally it isn't.

No it's isn't. That's the job and it's an easy enough task to complete.

It can't be the case that this is essential?! It's 2025, no one prints anything anymore, surely?

Can I guess, you work for a law firm?

Do you feel you've lost confidence being away from the office for a couple of years?

Pop your processes into AI and see what it spits out - tell it exactly the bits you are struggling with managing and see what it recommends. If you give it a thorough, detailed prompt, it can give you through, detailed ways of getting to grips with it all. Don't be disheartened, you just need a bit of an extra boost.

I’m shit at office admin. I think some people have brains more suited for this sort of very detailed process work.

I agree that sounds nuts to print out an email??

The whole point of having a computer is not keeping paper files

Printing copies of every sent email isn't necessary to keep an audit trail - its 2025.

That's what DH thinks.
I just worry I've become incompetent!

Could you try doing it a different way. So instead of doing it one at a time. At the end of each hour or at lunch and end of day. Go through and print everything in the sent box and then save everything in the sent box? You would then just bring one task at a time instead of remembering three tasks each time? (May not work for shared mailboxes).

Or move all your work to a print folder and then file folder and only removed from that folder once it’s done.

Yes, I'm aware it's 2025. That's the job and their process. If you don't like it discuss about how change can be implemented but until then carry out the role you're being paid for?

I felt like this when I had a job that was super busy for one week of the month and the rest of the time I was bored. I would put a reminder on my phone every minute to ensure I would complete all the tasks.

You've done it before so you know you can do the job. You just need to find a system to help you cope. Good luck.

Can you save half an hour at the end of each day to print out all your emails from that day and then file them?

Can you chat to IT about setting up a 'Print?' prompt or automatic print of any email, triggered when you press Send? (I don't know if this is possible, but worth asking.)

It's annoying but it can't be a huge issue for your employers, because they are in your Sent file so you just need to print and file them when you remember and then the problem is solved. It's not as if they disappear.

Depending on how your outlook operates then it doesn’t keep your emails forever accessible.

I blame ShitPoint, sorry Share Point it’s truly awful and not designed for how most companies use it.

Is it just in the office you’ve noticed this or any other areas of your life

This is a good idea.

Is It only at work that you make mistakes. If not get your B12 checked.

Which is why I commented their current process is nuts. No need to take personal offence.

Poor processes = poor outcomes

I'm not taking offence.